Leave it to Lehtonen
Published on February 17, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Chicago Wolves News Release
Chicago Wolves 21-year-old rookie goaltender Kari Lehtonen (KAH-ree LEH-tuh-nehn) has been named the top National Hockey League prospect in the world for the second consecutive year, according to The Hockey News.
The national publication's yearly prospect rating, which is determined by a panel of 15 NHL executives, was released today.
Lehtonen, who was the first pick of the Atlanta Thrashers and the second pick overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, was named the starting goaltender for PlanetUSA in the American Hockey League¹s All-Star Game earlier this month.
The highest chosen European goaltender in NHL draft history, Lehtonen registered his first two professional shutouts against the Utah Grizzlies on Dec. 27 and Jan. 7. Overall, the Helsinki, Finland, native has posted a 14-9-1-1 mark in 27 games this season.
Last year, Lehtonen registered a Finnish league-high 23 wins (23-14-6) and a 1.98 goals-against average in 45 games with Jokerit Helsinki.
The 6-foot-3-inch, 190-pound Lehtonen led Jokerit Helsinki to the 2002 championship as the league¹s youngest goaltender at age 19, earning MVP honors after posting league-highs with 11 games; eight wins; 623 minutes; and three shutouts with Jokerit Helsinki in the 2002 playoffs. Lehtonen compiled a 13-5-3 regular-season mark that year with a career-best 1.79 goals-against average.
Lehtonen led Finland to the bronze medal at the 2003 World Junior Championships with a 3-2-1 mark, two shutouts, a 2.19 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage. He also backed up former Wolves goaltender Pasi Nurminen for Finland in the 2002 and 2003 World Championships.
American Hockey League Stories from February 17, 2004
- River Rats announce coaching change - Albany River Rats
- AHL announces suspensions - AHL
- Falcons Begin Four-game Week against Hartford on Wednesday - Springfield Falcons
- Sound Tigers Shutout Worcester 2-0 - Bridgeport Islanders
- Kings Activate Hnilicka; Assign Him To Manchester - Manchester Monarchs
- Grizzlies split series with Cleveland - Utah Grizzlies
- Monarchs Sign Koehler and Milam to Tryouts - Manchester Monarchs
- Canucks recall Fedorov - Manitoba Moose
- Leave it to Lehtonen - Chicago Wolves
- IceCats Recall Goalie From Peoria and Sign Goalie to PTO - Worcester IceCats
- Penguins Recall Goaltender Andy Chiodo from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Admirals, Crunch closing Western Conference gap - AHL
- Cloutier reassigned to Louisiana - Houston Aeros
- Phantoms Flier - Adirondack Phantoms
- Fred Brathwaite Assigned to Syracuse for Conditioning - Syracuse Crunch
- Reich Hits Stride After Return - Syracuse Crunch
- Moose participate in annual "I love to read month" - Manitoba Moose
- The Rock Report - Toronto Marlies
- Beauchemin returns to Hamilton - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Senators recall player from Binghamton - Binghamton Senators
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
